Electroplating apparatus



Nov. 24, I925- F. G. PURINTON ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a m 2 a a e n A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

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Application filed September 19 23. i SerialNo. 661,340.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, FoRREsT G. PURINTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Waterbury, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electroplating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electroplating and more particularly to an electroplating apparatus employing a rotary barrel or drum within which a large quantity of small articles in bulk are adapted to be tumbled during the plating operation.

Uneobject of this invention is to provide an apparatusof this nature having a plating barrel which may be easily and quickly lowered by a single operator into and raised from the plating tank and moved into draining and dumping positions without the use of gearing, overhead cranes, trolleys, or

other complicated mechanism.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this nature in which the shaft of the platingbarrel is supported in a rigid trunnion frame which is adapted to be successively rocked upon a series of fulcrums on the plating tank to move the barrel from plating into draining and dumping positions.

A further object is to provide means for counterbalancing the weight of the barrel and contents so-that the barrel will remain in stable equilibrium in any of its operat- .ing positions. -A further objectis to provide an electroplating apparatus of the above nature which willbe relatively simple, cheap to manufacture, easy to manipulate, and very efficient and durable in use. 1

With these and other objects in view, there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings one form in which the invention frame and plating barrel in dumping posi- 7 tion. w l

is a perspective view of. the trunnion frame as it appears when detached from the remainder of the apparatus.

Referring; now to-the drawings in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 indicates a tubular semicylindrical tank for containing the plating solution, said tank being supported by horizontal base members 11 and vertical end members 12. The tanklO is closedat its ends by a pair of vertical semicircular head members 13 which are provided. at their horizontal top portions with a pair of'centrally located metallic plates 14 for supporting a barrel shaft, to be hereinafterdmore fully described. The plates lt are embedded in thematerial of the heads so asto lie flush with the top surfaces thereof, and are held in position by a pair of set screws 15 and 16, the set screws 16 also serving as' binding posts fora pair of conducting wires 17- 'leadingto the cathodebus" bars, 'not shown. A series of semicircular anodes 17 tenin this instance, and preferably rectangular in cross section are located in the selnicylindrical tank 10, being supported therein by the longitudinal rectangular strips 18. Each of the anodes 17 is connected at itsends to a pair of conducting wires 19 and 20 leading to the anodebus bars, not shown.

The articles to be plated are located in a revolvingdrum or barrel 20? which may be of any suitable dimensions,,but'preferi ably is substantially cylindrical and which is herein illustrated as having the shape of a regular polygon.

g The barrel 20 is adapted to rotate in the'tank 10, and is adapted to be lowered into said tank until the shaft rests upon the contact plates 14:, atwhich time the barrels will-be concentric with the anodes 17. The barrel 20 is provided with a pair of circular metallic endflanges 21,

which are rigidly mounted upon a barrel shaft22, and said'flanges are rigidly secured as by bolts 22 to the barrel heads.

The a shaft 22 is constructed of metal so that duringthe plating operation, it will conduct the current from the metallic plates 14: to the cathodes, not shown, which are'located in-' swung to dumping position, it may be retated so as to bring the barrel into convement posltlon for removlng the plated articles and recharging the barrel with a fresh supply of unplated articles. The shaft 22 is provided on its other end with a large on a stud shaft 25 parallel to the barrel shaft 22. lhe stud shaft 25 is mounted in a bearing 25 the latter being secured to the front head of the tank 10 in any suitable manner as by means of studs 26.

The stud shaft 25 is provided with a worm gear 2'? adapted to mesh with a worm 28 located on a worm shaft 29. The worm shatt 29 is rotatably mounted in a pair of straps 30, 31 which are secured to the front head of the tub by means of bolts 32. 33, respectively. The worm shaft 29 extends laterally beyond the left-hand vertical support 12 of the tank, as viewed in Fig. 2, and is mounted at its exterior end in a vertical side bracket said bracket being secured to the lef -hand side of the tank. by

the bolts it pulley is rigidly mounted onthe end of the worm shaft, and is adapted to be operated by a belt 37 in order to rotate the barrel to cause the work to be tumbled during the plating operation.

In order to permit the barrel to be ma11ually rocked out of its plating position into its draining and dumping positions, a pair oi. trunnion plates 38 and 39 and two trunand a nions 40, hi are provided. As most clearly shownin F1 5, the plates 38 and 39 and the trunnious 4i!) and il form a rigid structural unit which is capable of assuming any one of four positions of equilibrium corresponding to the plating position. draining position. intermediate positioiu and dumping position of the barrel. A pair or short trunnions 4:2

are also provided. Each of the trunnion 3S and $3.) is reduced in width at one wherc t is provided with a yoke t lq san \olie being adapted to surround a flat- The collars 1:5 form bearings for the ends of the barrel shait 22. The yokes are held rigidiy in position upon the collars d5 by means oi" bolts as and nuts 4'2.

h trunnion frame is provided on its outer race with a longitudinal strengthening Til) 4-8., ant also has three enlarged hollow bearing sections 49. 50, and 51adapted to tit over the ends of the truunions 4:0, ll, and 4-2 res; cctively said trunnions being secured in said bearing ctions in any suitable manner as by taper pins or set screws not shown. Each of the trunnion plates 38 and 39 is also provided with a transverse rib longitudinal rear projection said transverse rib 52 and rear projection 53 having alined recesses 54% and 55 located therein to adjustably receive a rectangular arm 56 connected to a counterweight 57. The counterweight 5? preferably has the shape of a cylindrical disk and is provided with a handle 58 extending from its outer edo'e tor convenience in manipulation. The nteru 'eight arms 56 are slotted intermediate their ends at 59, and are adapted to be held in any adjusted position upon the trrnnion. plates and 39 by means of cap screws (-10 and washers 51. Each head of the barrel also provided with a projectingstud (32 which term abutinents for the The trunnion plates are ada 'ited to be supported in a pair of blocks 63, one oi which is mounted on the right-hand end of each head of the tank 10. The blocks 63 are provided in their top faces with three alincd semicircular recesses 64, and 66 adapted to form seats for the trunnions 10, il. and (i2 respectively. Each of he blocks (33 is provided with depending lug 6? and secured in position upon the tank by means of four screws 68, (if), 70, and 71 passing through attaching ears 7, 73, Ti, and the lug respectively.

in operation, when the articles l ave been suiiiciently plated, the operator will grasp one handle 58 of the counterweight 57 in ach hand and swing the trunnion unit until t plating barrel moves up out of the tank to the draining position shown in. Fig. During this operation, the recesses 65 and. 66 of the trunnion blocks will serve as bearings for the trunnions 4-2 and 4:]. respecti'w'ely. After the barrel has been allowed to drain sutliciently the ornarator will again grasp the handles 58 and swing the trunnion unit still farther, using the recesses 65 oi thetrunnion blocks 33 as iulcruins il the trunnion 40 seats in the recess 6%. inc parts null then be in the intermediate po ion shown in Fig. When it is de sued to more the barrel from the intermediate position to the dumping position, the o rater will continue the swinging of? the trunnion unit from the full line to the dotted position as shown in Fig. l. The

= .ion unit will then be supported by the and the stud (32. The barrel 20" 'heu be rotated by means of the handle *ing the opening therein. to the bot tom after first roin' -izng the cover. The plat articl will then fall out by {g avity that this form is shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosure, but may be modified and embodied in varione other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit. In short, tl ieinvention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within thescope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank, a frame adapted to rock upon said tank, means to support said frame in equilibrium in separate plating, draining and dumping positions, a rotary plating barrel carried by said frame, a counterweight secured to said frame to counterbalance the weight of said barrel and contents, whereby said barrel willremain in equilibrium in its plating, draining, and dumping positions.

2. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating solution, a rocking frame, a support for said frame mounted on said tank, a rotary plating barrel carried by said frame, said frame havingthree separate positions of equilibriumupon said support corresponding to the plating, draining, and dumping positions of said barrel.

3. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank, atrunnion frame adapted to rock upon said tank, said frame comprising a pair of side plates connected by a series of trunnions and a shaft, a rotary plating barrel rotatably mounted-upon said shaft, a pair of supports for said plates mounted on said tank, said trunnions and shaft being parallel to each other, said frame being adapted to be supported in equilibrium in a plurality of positions corresponding to the plating, draining, and dumping positions of the barrel.

4t. In an electroplating apparatus, a plat ing tank, a rocking trunnion frame mounted on said tank, a shaft on said frame, a plating barrel mounted to rotate onsaid shaft, said frame having a plurality of positions of equilibrium corresponding to the three separate platin draining, and dumping positions of the barrel, said frame being adapted to be manually rocked about said tank, whereby the barrel will be caused to move successively from plating into draining and dumpin positions.

5. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating solution, a pair of parallel supports mounted upon the top of said tank, each of said sup ports having a plurality of recesses, a plurality of trunnions adapted to seat in said recesses, said trunnions being connected by a pair of end plates to form a rigid frame, a barrel shaft supported by said plates, a plating barrel mounted on said shaft, where by said frame will have a series of positions of stable equilibrium corresponding to the plating, draining, and dumping positions of the barrel.

6. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating solution, a pair of parallel supports mounted upon the top of said tank, each of said supports having a plurality of recesses, a plurality of trunnions adapted to seat in said recesses, said trunnions being connected by a pair of end plates to form a rigid frame, a barrel shaft rotatably mounted in said plates, a plating barrel rigidly mounted on said shaft whereby said frame will have a series of positions of stable equilibrium corresponding to the plating, draining, and dumping positions of the barrel.

7. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating solution, a rocking frame adapted to be sup ported by said tank, a plating barrel carried by said frame, said frame having a series of stable positions corresponding to the three separate plating, draining, and dumping positions of the barrel, and means whereby the electrical circuit of said plating apparatus will be automatically closed when the barrel is in plating position.

8. In an electroplating apparatus, a box shaped plating tank adapted to. contain a plating solution, a frame for said tank comprising a series of vertical supports located on the periphery of said tank, cross pieces connecting said vertical supports at the tops and bottoms thereof, a series of horizontal supporting strips resting upon said bottom cross pieces, and a platform mounted on said supporting strips for sup porting said plating tank.

9. In an electroplating apparatus, a framework, a plating tank supported in said.

framework, a plating barrel adapted to 1'0- tate in said tank, a rocking frame adapted to rest in equilibrium 011 a plurality of fulcra for supporting said plating barrel in a corresponding plurality of working positions.

10. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a. plating solution, an anode, a metallic shaft, a platingbarrel mounted thereon, a cathode connected to said shaft, said shaft having its ends extending beyond the heads of said barrel, a pair of contact plates located on the ends of said tank beneath said shaft, whereby the electrical circuit will be complete when said barrel is in plating position, a rocking frame supported by said tank and carrying said barrel, said frame having a plurality of fulcra, whereby said barrel may be rocked from plating to draining and dumping positions.

11. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating soluwhereby the electrical circuit will be complete when said barrel is in plating position, a rocking frame supported by said tank, and

carrying said barrel, whereby said barrel may be rocked from plating to draining and dumping position.

12. In an electroplating apparatus, a plat-- ing tank, an anode in saidtank, a plating barrel containing a cathode mounted to rotate in said tank, a trunnion frame for holding said barrel, said frzmie'having a series of supporting trunnions adapted to rest in aseries of alined recesses in the sides of said tank, said frame being adapted to be interchangeably shifted manually into plating, draining, ordumping positions at the will of the operator. a a

13. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank, an anode in said tank,a plating "barrel containing a cathode mounted to rotate in said tank, a rigid trunnion frame for holding said barrel, said frame having a series of supporting trunnions adapted to rest in a series of alined recesses in the sides of said tank, said frame being adapted to be interchangeably shifted manually into plating, draining, or dumping positions at the Will of the operator.

14. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank, a trunnion frame adapted to rock upon said tank, a rotary plating barrel carried by said frame and adapted to receive a quantity of articles to be plated, and means for maintaining said barrel in equilibrium in either plating, draining, or dumping positions. 7 p

15. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank, a trunnion frame adapted to be rocked about said tank and supported thereby in a series of positions, a barrel rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to recei've a quantity-of articles to be plated, and means forcounterbalancing the Weight of said barrel and plating articles, to permit said barrel to remain in equilibrium in either plating, draining, or dun'iping positions.

16. In anclectroplating apparatus, a plating tank, a rocking frame supported upon said tank, saidframe comprising a pair of rigidly connected side plates, a shaft mounted to rotate in said side plates, a 1'0 tary plating barrel mounted on said shaft,

said frame being adapted to be supported in equilibrium in'a plurality of positions cor responding :to the plating, draining, and dumping positions of the barrel.

1?. In an electroplating apparatus, a plating tank adapted to contain a plating solution, a rocking frame adapted to be supportedby said tank, a plating barrel carried by said frame, barrel-rotating means, means for driving said barreLrotating means, said barrel-rotating means being adapted to be automatically disengaged from said driving means When said barrel is raised out of plating position and to be automatically engaged therewith when said barrel is lowered into plating position.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature to this specification.

F. o. PURINTON. 

